Fashion chains, chemists, jewellers, newsagents and health and beauty stores are most likely to close as a result of changing shopping habits and the cost of living squeeze, says the Centre for Retail Research.

More big chains are set to call in administrators following the collapse of shops including Tie Rack, Blockbuster, Barratts and Comet despite the improvement in the economy, says CRR boss Professor Joshua Bamfield.

He says the Government should freeze business rates for two years and link them to turnover to help newer and smaller retailers to survive. He also says parking should be cheaper.

He said: “The decline of high streets is accelerating. Our research shows around 12,000 stores may close this year, an increase of 2,000 over 2013.”

Writing in the Sunday Mirror today, Sainsbury’s boss Justin King also calls for business rates to be overhauled with online firms paying their “fair share”.